After earning a literature degree in Toulouse, he moved to Paris. He made his debut in 1963 at l'Écluse, a cabaret where he enjoyed both the atmosphere and the audience. He went on to write songs for Juliette Gréco, Francesca Solleville, Serge Reggiani ("Paris ma rose") and Jean Ferrat ("Cuba si", "la Matinée", with Christine Sèvres). In the 70s, he became a storyteller on France-Inter and a writer, author of a dozen books, including Le Grand Partir. Organizer of numerous storytellers' festivals, he has spearheaded the revival of this art form.
